Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2009-10-07 15:10
Hi Joebob --
The "big three" of top clarinet manufacturers were traditionally Selmer, Buffet, and LeBlanc. Yamaha is now also on most peoples' lists, but is a more-recent entrant in the field.
Look carefully at the photos and descriptions of these clarinets. Note the design of the tenons -- the Signet has metal tenon ends, which is a feature you usually find only on higher-end instruments. It's an older instrument, but newer does not equal better when it comes to clarinets! In fact, in some cases, the reverse is true.
The repaired bell crack is a non-issue, IMO. I played all through high school with a cracked bell on my clarinet. For a time, I also played a much older (borrowed) top-of-the line Selmer with a non-penetrating crack down the back of the first joint from the register key. It was a wonderful instrument. But my folks bit on the "newer is better" meme, and bought me a totally inferior wooden student-grade instrument because it was new. (That's the one that developed the bell crack. It also had screws that had to be checked every time I played it, because they fell out with great regularity. And it sounded awful.)
Did you notice that none of these instruments comes with a mouthpiece? You'll have to purchase that separately. Check around on older posts on this board for recommendations.
Yes, I live in Coshocton, and I do indeed know where Senecaville and Byesville are. I've even been there! I did not grow up here -- I grew up in Licking County, Ohio. And we won't be here long -- we are moving to Durham, NC, at the beginning of next month. But I love this area, and will miss it -- even though I know there will be more opportunity for music-making in Durham.
Good luck to you. Let us know what you end up with.
Susan
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